Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

On the occurrence of the elusive cardinalfish, Apogon fugax (Teleostei, Apogonidae), in the Bay of Bengal

Volume 68 Issue 1

A. Murugan, G. Mahadevan and S. Ragul

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2026.68.1.2676-17

Abstract

The cardinalfish Apogon fugax Gon, Bogorodsky, Mal and Alpermann, 2020, was originally described from the Red Sea, Myanmar, and Australia. Three specimens (64.0–72.5 mm SL) were collected from the bycatch of demersal trawlers operating at depths of 30–70 m off Pazhayar, Tamil Nadu. This record represents a range extension from the previously known locations in the Indian coast (Gujarat, Kerala) to the Coromandel coast, the east coast of India. The species was identified based on a detailed morphometric analysis and meristic counts, which align with the original description, including key diagnostic characters such as 10–11 lower gill rakers and a distinctive colour pattern featuring a series of black dots on the first dorsal fin. Given the high diversity of cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) in Indian waters and their prevalence in trawl bycatch, this study underscores the importance of continued biodiversity assessments.

Keywords

Bottom trawl, bycatch, Coromandel coast, range extension, rocky crevices

Date : 29-05-2026